Multiple-effect evaporator structure



MULTIPLE-EFFECT EVAPORATOR STRUCTURE 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 28, 1965www Nov. 28, 1967 W. E. HELER ET AL 3,35432 MULTIPLE-'EFFECT EVAPORATORSTRUCTURE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 28, 1965 NOV. 28, 1967 W E, HESLERET AL 3,354,932

MULTIPLE-EFFECT EVAPORATOR STRUCTURE Filed May 28, 1965V INVENTORSWarren E. Hesler t W. Ecks om 07u/a. @m/j ATTORNEYS Nov. 28, 1967 w E,HESLER ET Al. 3,354,932

MULTIPLE-EFFECT EVAPQRATOR STRUCTURE Filed May 28, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTORS Warren E. Hesler Alben` W. Eck trom @MLM ATTORNEYS Nov. 28,1967 w. E. HESLER ET AL 3,354,932

MULTIPLE-EFFECT EVAPORATOR STRUCTURE Filed May 28, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTORS Warren EA Hesler Albert W. Eckstr m ATTORNEYS Nov. 28, 1967 w.E. HESLER ET An. 3,354,932

MULTIPLE-EFFECT EVAPORATOR STRUCTURE Filed May 28, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 6INVENTORS Warren E. Hester Albert W. Eckstrom @mmfw ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent O 3,354,932 MULTIPLE-EFFECT EVAPORATOR STRUCTURE Warren E.Hesler, Williamsville, and Albert W. Eckstrom,

Snyder, N.Y., assignors to Blaw-Knox Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., acorporation of Delaware Filed May 28, 1965, Ser. No. 459,775 4 Claims.(Cl. 159-17) This invention relates to the external structural form of amultiple-effect evaporator, the evaporator being illustrated in the formof a recompression quadruple effect evaporator.

The principal object is to compact and simplify the supporting structureof such a multiple-effect evaporator while at the same time renderingall parts of it more accessible for inspection, adjustment and repair.

Another object is to reduce the initial cost as well as the upkeep ofsuch an evaporator.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is la diagramma-tic representation of a multipleeffect evaporatorembodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective View thereof, certain pipe connections beingeliminated for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational View thereof, certain pipe connectionsagain being eliminated for clarity.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan View thereof, certain pipe connectionslagain being eliminated for clarity.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section taken generally on line A5--5,FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a diminutive vertical section taken generally on line 6 6,FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged horizontal section taken generally on line 7-7,FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is -a top plan View of the beam structure of the lower platformof the evaporator illustrating the manner in which the barometric leg ofthe barometric condenser forms a support for these and also the steamchest shells.

The invention relates to an external structural form of amultiple-effect evaporator, a recompression quadruple effect evaporatorbeing shown, the four effects being designated at A, B, C and D,respectively.

Each of the effects can be of any usual and well known construction andcan be of the natural circulation type or can be of the recompressiontype as shown. The steam chests, evaporating chambers and preheaters ofthe several effects are similar in construction, and hence a descriptionof one will be deemed to apply to all, the parts of the differenteffects being distinguished by the subscripts a, b, c and drespectively.

Thus, the first effect, as shown in all of the figures except FIG. 3 inwhich it is concealed, comprises a large upright cylindrical steam chestshell 10a having an upper and lower end heads 11a and 12a. Upper andlower tube sheets 13a, 14a are connected by a bundle of conventionaldownflow tubes 15a and form a steam or vapor space 16a surrounding thesetubes. The liquid to be concentrated is introduced from a line 17athrough an inlet 18a into the space 19a above the upper tube sheet 13a,and flows down the tubes '15a into the chamber 20a from which a partflows through an outlet line 21a. The balance of the liquid 'flowsthrough a line 22a into a vapor separator or flask chamber 23a. Theliquid collects as -a body ice f 24a in the bottom of this flash chamberand flows out through an outlet line 25a into the line 21a.

Steam under pressure from a supply line 28 supplies a steam booster 29,FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, which discharges via a line 30 into the steam space16a of the first effect A and also has its suction line 31 connectingwith the vapor line 32 which conducts vapor from the vapor separator 23aof the first effect A into the vapor space 16b of the steam chest shells10b of the second effect B.

The vapor from the vapor separator 23b of this second effect B isconducted by a line 33, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, to the vapor space 16e`of the steam chest shell 10c of the third effect C.

The vapor from the vapor separator 23a` of this third effect C isconducted by a line 34, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, to the vapor space 16dof the steam chest shell 10d of the fourth effect D.

The vapor from the vapor separator 23d of this fourth effect D isconducted by a line 35, FIGS. l, 2, 3, 4 and 5, to a conventionalbarometric leg vacuum condenser E a feature of the invention residing inthe leg of this barometric condenser forming the central supportingcolumn for components of the several effects A, B, C and D, which areclustered up about and mounted on this leg. For this purpose, thisbarometric condenser comprises a vertical tubular condensing chamber 36shown as supplied with condensing water from a water supply pipe 37, avacuum of subatmospheric pressure is maintained in the condensingchamber 36 by a pair of two stage steam jet ejectors 38, 39 suppliedwith steam from a steam line 40.

These ejectors, FIG. 1 only, are in series with a condenser 41, suppliedwith condensing water from a line 42 interposed therebetween, theejector 39 discharging to atmosphere.

The barometric condenser has a conical bottom 43 leading to thebar-ometric leg 44, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, y6 and 7, of the condenser, thelower open end of which is submerged in the body of water 45 containedwithin a hot well 46 this body being maintained higher than the loweropen end of the barometric leg 44 by a higher overflow 48 from the hotwell. The barometric leg 44 is of sufficient height (35 feet) tomaintain, by atmosperic pressure on the body of water 45, a column ofwater extending up into the conical bottom 43 with a vacuum beingmaintained in the condensing chamber 36, the condensate produced by thespray water from 37 joining this colu-mn and ultimately settling intothe hot well 46 and overflowing to drain at 48.

The material, such as orange juice, to be concentrated is supplied by afeed pump 50 to a preheater or heat exchange 51, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5,enclosed within a vertical tubular shell 52, the heating medium beingVapor from a branch 53 of the vapor outlet pipe 35 from the vaporseparator 23d of the fourth effect D to the barometric leg E. Thecondensate of the heating vapor is removed from the heat exchanger ofpreheater 51 bya condensate pump 54 and the preheater orange juicepasses from this preheater 51 through a line '55 into a flash chamber60, FIGS. l, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

This flash chamber 60, FIGS. l, 2, 3, 4 and 5, is in the form of `avertical tubular shell `61 having an upper end head 62 and a conicalbottom 63 in which a body 64 of the orange juice collects and is removedby a pump 65 which discharges into a line 66 leading to anotherpreheater 68. A vacuum is maintained in the ask chamber 60 by a steaminjector 70 supplied with steam from a steam line 71 and connected tothe flask chamber 60 by a suction line 72. The steam injector 70idischarges via a line 73 into the vapor line 35 supplying vapor to thepreheater or heat exchanger 51 and barometric condenser E.

The preheater or heat exchanger 68, FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, is shown as beingenclosed by a vertical tubular shell 75 from which the orange juiceleaves through an outlet line 76. The heating medium is the condensatefrom the vapor space 16d of the steam chest shell 10d transferred by acondensate pump 78 through an inlet line 79 to the preheater 68 and fromwhich it is discharged by a discharge pump 80.

The orange juice from the outlet line 76 of the preheater or heatexchanger 68 is delivered to a preheater yor heat exchanger 85, FIGS. 1,4, and 6, which is shown as being enclosed by a vertical tubular shell86 from which the orange juice leaves through an outlet line 88.

The heating medium for this preheater or heat exchanger 85 is vapor fromthe vapor `space 16d of the steam chest shell d of the fourth effect D.This heating medium is supplied via a plurality of horizontal tubes 89,FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, connecting the shells 10d and S6 not only to supplyvapor from the vapor space 16d to heat the heat exchanger or preheater85 but also to support this preheater shell 86 from this fourth effectsteam chest :shell 10d.

The orange juice from the outlet line 88 of the preheater or heatexchanger 815 is delivered to another preheater or heat exchanger 90,FIGS. l, 2, 3, 4 and 5, which is shown as being enclosed by a verticaltubular shell 91 from which the orange juice leaves through an outletline 92. The heating medium for this preheater or heat exchanger 90 isvapor from the vapor space 16C of the :steam chest shell 10c of thethird effect C. This heating medium is supplied via a plurality ofhorizontal tubes '93 connecting the shells 10c and 91 not only to supplyvapor from the vapor space 16e to heat the heat exchanger `or preheater90 but also to support this preheater shell 91 from this third effectsteam chest shell 10c.

The orange juice from the outlet line 92 of the preheater or heatexchanger 90 is delivered to another preheater or heat exchanger 95,FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, which is shown as being enclosed by a verticaltubular shell 96 from which the orange juice leaves through an outletline 98. The heating medium for this preheater or heat exchanger 95 isvapor from the vapor space 16b of the steam chest shell 10b of thesecond effect B. This heating medium is supplied via a plurality ofhorizontal tubes 99 connecting the shells 10b and 96 not only to supplyvapor from the vapor space 16b to heat the heat exchanger or preheater95 but also to support this preheater shell 96 from this second effectsteam chest shell 10b.

The orange juice from the outlet line 98 of the preheater or heatexchanger 95 is delivered to another preheater or heat exchanger 100,FIGS. 1, 4 and 6 which is shown as being enclosed by a vertical tubularshell 101 from which the orange juice leaves through the line 17a to thesteam chest shell 10a of the first effect A. The heating medium for thispreheater or heat exchanger 100 is live steam from a steam line 102, thecondensate being removed by a pump 103. The shell 101 of the steam fedheat exchanger 100 is preferably alongside and supported from the steamchest shell 10a of the first effect A, as by the tubular bracketsupports 104 shown, but these are merely `supporting brackets and do notestablish communication between the vapor space 16a of the steam chestshell 10a and this preheater which, as stated, is heated directly bylive steam.

The orange juice from the line 17a from the preheater 100, FIGS. 1, 4and 6, entering the upper chamber 19a of the steam chest shell 10a ofthe first effect A flows down through its steam heated tubes a into thebottom chamber a and thence out through lines 21a and 22a,

the latter leading into the first effect vapor separator 23a, FIGS. 1,2, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The orange jui-ce gathers Ias the body 24a in thisvapor separator and is withdrawn via lines 25a and 21a by a pump 105a tothe line 17b which discharges into the top chamber 19b of the secondeffect B. From this -chamber the orange juice flows down through thevapor heated tubes 15b into the bottom chamber 20b and thence outthrough lines 2lb and 2217, the latter leading into the second effectvapor separator 23b, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. The orange juice gathersas the body 2411 in this vapor separator and is withdrawn via lines 25band 2lb by a pump 105b to the line 17C which discharges it into the topchamber 19C of the third effect C. From this chamber the orange juiceflows down through the vapor heated tubes 1-5c into the bottom chamber20c and thence out through lines 21e` and 22e the latter leading intothe third effect vapor separator 23C, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. Theorange juice gathers as the body 24C in this vapor separator and iswithdrawn via lines 21e and 25e by a pump 105C to the line 17d whichdischarges it into the top chamber 19d of the fourth effect D. From thischamber the orange juice flows down through the vapor heated tubes 15dinto the bottom chamber 20d and thence out through lines 21d and 22d,the latter leading into the fourth effect vapor separator 23d, FIGS. l,2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.

The orange juice gathers as a body 24d in this vapor separator and iswithdrawn via lines 21d and 25d by a pump 1050,' which discharges it viaa line 109 into a flash chamber 110.

This flash chamber 110, FIGS. l, 4 and 5, is in the form of a verticaltubular shell 111 having an upper end head 112 and a conical bottom 113in which :a body 114 of orange juice collects and is removed by adischarge pump 115 to a discharge line 116 for the finished product.

A vacuum is maintained in the flash chamber 110 by a steam injector 120,FIGS. 1 and 4, supplied with steam from 'a stream line 121 and connectedto the flash chamber 110 by a suction line 122. The steam injectordischarges via a line 125 into the vapor line 35 supplying vapor to thepreheater or heat exchanger 51 and barometric condenser E.

For further economy in heat consumption, the condensate from the bottomof the vapor space 16a in the first effect steam chest shell 10a fiowsthrough a line 126e, FIG. 1, and past a check valve 127a into the vaporspace 16b of the second effect B. Similarly this and the condensate`developing in this vapor space 16b flows through a line 126b and past acheck valve 127b into the vapor space 16C of the third effect C. Againthis and the condensate developing in this vapor space 16e` flowsthrough a line 126e` and past a check valve 127e` into the vapor space16d of the fourth effect D.

The support for the above components of the quadruple effect evaporatoris as follows:

The numeral 130, FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, represents a concrete slab whichforms the base for the evaporator and is shown as extending to the edgeof the hot well 46. Supported on this slab around the rim of the hotwell is a circular slab 131 in turn supporting a metal disk 132, the leg44 of the barometric condenser extending through registering concentricholes 133 and 134 in this circular slab and disk. Upstanding plates 135are welded along their lower edges to the disk 132 and along opposingvertical edges to the sides of the leg 44 of the barometric condenser E,four of these supporting plates being shown as evenly spaced around theleg 44 to project radially therefrom in vertical planes at right anglesto each other. At its upper end each of these plates is provided with aradially outwardly projecting wing 136 for supporting the shells 10a, b,c or d of the steam chest of a corresponding effect, as hereinafterdescribed.

The leg 44 of the barometric condenser supports the inner ends of ahorizontal beam 137, FIGS. 6 and 8,

which extends radially outwardly from this leg 44 of the barometriccondenser E. The outer en-ds of these radial beams are severallysupported by columns 138, FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 8, rising from the concreteslab 130 and the outer extremities of these radial beams support acircular channel .rim 139, suitable segment shaped cross channel beams140 also being provided between the radial beams 137 to support agrating 141 and provi-de a circular platform 142. A ladder 143 rises tothis platform and which is also provided with a circular railing 144around its rim.

The vertical steam chest shells 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d are spaced inannular arrangement around the leg 44 of the barometric condenser E andare supported by this leg. For this purpose each of these steam chestsis connected at its top and bottom to this leg 44 of the barometriccondenser 'E by connectors or bracket means indicated generally at 145,FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8. Each of these connectors comprise two tubularmetal sections 146, 148 which are open at their upper and lower ends,each section 146 having a cylindrical fac-e 149 fitting and welded tothe side of the barometric condenser leg 44 and having an oppositevertical flat wall 150 adapted to be secured by bolts 151 to a flat wall152 of the corresponding section 148 which flat wall 152 is held inface-to-face relation to the companion flat wall 150 by these bolts. Theoutboard side is in the form of a cylindrical face 154 fitting an-dwel-ded to the side of the corresponding steam chest shells 10a, 10b,10c, 10d.

These steam chest shells in turn support an upper platform 155, FIGS. 2,3, 4 and 6. This support is effected by Vertical triangular plates 156having a vertical edge welded to the side of a companion steam chestshell 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d to project radially outwardly therefrom withreference to the barometric condenser leg 44 as best shown in FIGS. 2and 6. At their outboard ends these vertical triangular plates 156support the circular channel rim 158 of the upper platform 155 and whichsupports the grating 159 of this platform as well as a circular fence160 and also a guarded ladder 161 leading from the lower platform 142 tothis top platform 155.

The vapor separators 23a, 23b, 23C, and 23d are spaced in annulararrangement around the bottom part-s of the annular array of steam chestshells 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. They are alsosupported on the lower platform 142. For this purpose the verticalcylindrical shell of each of these vapor separators has threechannel-shaped brackets projecting in a horizontal plane in spacedrelation to each other from the periphery of the vapor separator. Thesebrackets are fixed to the vapor separator shells and have flatundersides to be supported over the radial beams 137, cross beams 140and circular channel-shaped rim 139 of the lower platform 142 and toaccomplish this support on these beams, these brackets are of differentlengths and extend in different directions and are not spaced equaldistances around the shell, all as best illustrated in FIG. 5.Accordingly, these three brackets supporting the vapor separator shells23a are designated at 160a, 161a, 162g and t-he same numerals with thesuffixes b, c and d have been used to -distinguish the correspondingbrackets supporting the other vapor separators shells 23b, 23e and 23d.

As previously indicated, the live steam is fed to preheater shell 10'1of the preheater 100 for the first effect A, this preheater shell, FIGS.1, 4 and 6, being supported from the steam chest shell 10a of thiseffect by a vertical series of horizontal brackets connecting theseshells, these brackets preferably being of tubular form, but being blindin that their only function being to support the live steam preheatershell 101 from the steam shell 10a and not to establish communicationbetween their vapor spaces.

In contrast, as previously described, the vertical tubular -shell 96 ofthe second effect B is supported from the steam chest shell 10b of thiseffect by the vertical series of horizontal t-ubes 99, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and5 which also conduct vapor from the steam chest vapor space 16b .to theinterior of the preheater shell 96.

Similarly, the vertical tubular shell 91 of the third effect C issupported from the -steam chest shell 10c of this effec-t by thevertical series of .horizontal tubes 93, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 which alsoconduct vapor from the steam chest vapor space 16e to the interior ofthe preheater shell 91. Similarly, also as previously described, thevertical tubular shell 86 of the fourth effect D is supported from t-hesteam chest shell 10d of this effect by the vertical series ofhorizontal tubes 89 which also conduct vapor from the steam chest vaporspace 16d to the interior of the preheater shell 86.

However, the shell 75 of the condensate fed preheater 68 isindependently supported and depends from the upper platform 155, FIGS.1, 4 and 5. Also the vapor fed preheater 51, FIGS. l, 4 and 5, is alsoindependently supported and depends from the upper platform 155.

The connections of the remaining piping and smaller components, such asthe steam jet ejectors 38, 39, 70 and 120 are conventional.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the compact and simplifiedsupporting structure essentially flows from the employment of thebarometric leg 4 of the barometric condenser E as a main trunk andhanging and supporting the steam chest shells vertically 10a, 10b, 10c`and 10d as a cluster around this trunk and by hanging and supporting theheat exchangers or preheaters y86, 90, and severally on these steamchest shells. It will further be seen that the horizontal tubes 89, 93and 99 supporting most of these heat exchangers or preheaters alsoprovide for the passage of vapor from the vapor spaces of the supportingsteam chest shells into the heat exchanger supported thereby.

What is claimed is:

1. A multiple effect evaporator, comprising a barometric condenserhaving an upper condensing chamber, means supplying a coolant to saidcondensing chamber, means maintaining a vacuum in said condensingchamber, and a vertical barometric leg supporting said chamber andreceiving at its upper end the condensate from said condensing chamberand open at its lower end, means supporting said barometric leg with itsopen lower end submerged in a body of water in a hotwell, a group of atleast a first effect and a second effect steam chests surrounding saidbarometric leg above said hotwell and each enclosed in a tubularvertical shell having tubes surrounded by a steam space, bracket meanssupporting `substantially the full weight of each of said steam chestshells from said barometric leg and its supporting means, meansintroducing steam into the steam space of the first effect steam chest,means separating the vapor generated in such tubes of the first effectsteam chest, means conveying said vapor into the steam space of thesecond effect steam chest, means separating the vapor generated in thetubes of the second effect steam chest, means conveying said lastmentioned vapor to said condensing chamber, and means conducting thematerial to be evaporated successively through the tubes of said firstand second effect steam chests.

2. A multiple effect evaporator as set forth in cl-aim 1 wherein eachsai-d conveying and transporting -means includes a preheating heatexchanger enclosed in a vertical tubular shell arranged alongside acorresponding one of said steam chest shells, bracket means supportingsubstantially the full weight of each said heat exchanger shell from itscorresponding steam chest shell, said last mentioned bracket meanssupplying heating medium to said heat exchangers from their respectivesupporting steam chest shell-s.

3. A multiple effect evaporator as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidmeans supporting said barometric leg comprises a horizontal base platesurrounding said barometric leg above said hotwell, and vertical platesrising from said base plate to extend radially outwardly from said 7 8baromet-ric leg with their inner vertical edges secured 1,005,600 10/1911 Childs 159-20 to said leg. 1,318,793 10/1919 Newhall 159--20 4. Amultiple effect evaporator as set forth in claim 3 1,552,562 9/1925Kirgan 159-17 wherein wings extend radially from the upper extremities2,543,322 2/ 1951 Little et al. 159-17 of said vertical plates severallyinto supporting cngage- 5 2,707,022 4/ 1955 Hessler 159-27 ment with thecorresponding steam chest shells. 2,954,821 10/196() Baumann et a1, 1591 3,141,807 7/1964 Cook 159-17 References Clted UNITED STATES PATENTSNORMAN YUDKOFF, Primary Examiner. 378,843 2/1888 Lillie 159-17 10 I.SOFER, Assistant Examiner.

936,760 10/1909 Childs 159-47

1. A MULTIPLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR, COMPRISING A BAROMETRIC CONDENSERHAVING AN UPPER CONDENSING CHAMBER, MEANS SUPPLYING A COOLANT TO SAIDCONDENSING CHAMBER, MEANS MAINTAINING A VACUUM IN SAID CONDENSINGCHAMBER, AND A VERTICAL BAROMETRIC LEG SUPPORTING SAID CHAMBER ANDRECEIVING AT ITS UPPER END THE CONDENSATE FROM SAID CONDENSING CHAMBERAND OPEN AT ITS LOWER END, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID BAROMETRIC LEG WITH ITSOPEN LOWER END SUBMERGED IN A BODY OF WATER IN A HOTWELL, A GROUP OF ATLEAST A FIRST EFFECT AND A SECOND EFFECT STEAM CHESTS SURROUNDING SAIDBAROMETRIC LEG ABOVE SAID HOTWELL AND EACH ENCLOSED IN A TUBULARVERTICAL SHELL HAVING TUBES SURROUNDED BY A STEAM SPACE, BRACKET MEANSSUPPORTING SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL WEIGHT OF EACH OF SAID STEAM CHESTSHELLS FROM SAID BAROMETRIC LEG AND ITS SUPPORTING MEANS, MEANSINTRODUCING STEAM INTO THE STEAM SPACE OF THE FIRST EFFECT STEAM CHEST,MEANS SEPARATING THE VAPOR GENERATED IN SUCH TUBES OF THE FIRST EFFECTSTEAM CHEST, MEANS CONVEYING SAID VAPOR INTO THE STEAM SPACE OF THESECOND EFFECT STEAM CHEST, MEANS SEPARATING THE VAPOR GENERATED IN THETUBES OF THE SECOND EFFECT STEAM CHEST, MEANS CONVEYING SAID LASTMENTIONED VAPOR TO SAID CONDENSING CHAM-